HOUSTON — It wasn’t the start anyone wanted, but it was the kind of game that happens when one pitcher is dealing and timely hits never come.
The Houston Astros dropped their 2026 Opening Day game to the Los Angeles Angels, 3-0, on Thursday at Daikin Park, undone by missed opportunities and a pair of late home runs in a game that felt closer than the final score.
It began with a moment that briefly brought the crowd to life. In the first inning, Yordan Alvarez launched a towering drive that struck the roof structure above the field and ricocheted into foul territory, prompting a lengthy review before play resumed. The Astros would go on to strand runners all afternoon.
Hunter Brown was sharp in his Opening Day start, striking out nine over 4.2 scoreless innings while allowing four hits. He walked four, but consistently worked out of trouble and kept the Angels off the board. It was the kind of outing that usually leads to a win.
José Soriano made sure it didn’t. The Angels right-hander was dominant, throwing six scoreless innings while allowing just two hits and striking out seven. Houston’s offense managed only a Joey Loperfido single in the second and a Christian Walker double in the seventh against him.
The Astros’ biggest chance came in the third. Jake Meyers walked, Alvarez was intentionally walked, and Isaac Paredes drew another free pass to load the bases with one out. Carlos Correa lined out, and the inning ended with no damage, a sequence that summed up the afternoon.
Los Angeles finally broke through in the sixth when Mike Trout connected for a solo home run to make it 1-0. The lead extended in the seventh on an RBI single from Oswald Peraza, and Nolan Schanuel added a two-run homer in the ninth to seal it.
Houston finished 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position and left nine men on base.
One game into 2026, the Astros are 0-1. There are 161 more to go.
Planning another trip to Daikin Park? Check out the Astros promotions schedule before you go.
